5 Minute Hair Makeover Tips

Treat yourself

Small step: Apply a hair mask once a week.
Big impact: If your conditioner isn't giving your style the nourishment it needs, it is time to introduce a treatment to your care routine. "Unlike your regular conditioner that is designed to smooth the outer layer of the hair, masks penetrate deeper and provide more intensive repair," explains Grant Withnell, Schwarzkopf's national technical educator.
Make it happen with: L'Oréal Paris Elvive Re-Nutrition Night Elixir Leave In, $11.45; Dove Dry Therapy Daily Conditioner with Treatment, $7.99; Pantene Pro-V 3 Minute Miracle Treatment, $7.99 for a pack of three.

Style smart

Small step: Down tools and embrace a relaxed beachy look.
Big impact: Carefree waves not only look chic, but, says leading session stylist Brad Mullins, they're also a low-impact and time-saving styling option. He suggests using a wide-tooth comb to detangle damp hair, and leave it to dry naturally. Mist a sea salt spray on your roots, followed by hairspray all over, and then scrunch it to create a tousled texture. "If your ends look ratty, smooth on a small amount of serum," he adds.
Make it happen with: Wella High Hair Ocean Sprizz Beach-Look Spray, $23.50; Sebastian Professional Re-Shaper Brushable, Humidity Resistant Strong Hold Hairspray, $30; Hypact Protect & Shine Glaze, $33.

Use protection

Small step: Shelter your shade from the sun and surf.
Big impact: "Water and the sun’s rays are the two biggest causes of colour fade," warns Withnell. For a more vibrant and long-lasting hue, he suggests applying a colour-protecting product with a UV filter before heading outdoors, or get extra protection by wearing a hat. "If you spend a lot of time in the ocean or pool, always take
a leave-in treatment with you," he advises. "Chlorine and salt water can be extremely drying and, while you can't do anything to prevent it, you can dilute the effects by rinsing your hair with fresh water, or apply a leave-in treatment as soon as you get out."
Make it happen with: Redken Color Extend Sun Shimmering Defense, $28; Aveda Sun Care Protective Hair Veil, $49.95.

From left to right, top to bottom: Dove Dry Therapy Daily Conditioner with Treatment, $7.99; Al'chemy Lavender & Anthyllis 24 Hour Intensive Moisture Leave-In Conditioner, $17.95; Garnier Fructis Style Thermo-Active Spray Volume Restructure XXL, $7.95; Wella High Hair Ocean Sprizz Beach-Look Spray, $23.50; Aveda Sun Care Protective Hair Veil, $49.95; L'Oréal Paris Elvive Re-Nutrition Night Elixir Leave In, $11.45; Redken Color Extend Sun Shimmering Defense, $28; Pantene Pro-V 3 Minute Miracle Treatment, $7.99 for a pack of three.

Go natural

Small step: Work with your hair's texture, rather than battling it.
Big impact: Making the most of what you have not only saves you time on styling, but you'll have healthier hair thanks to fewer assaults from hot tongs and straightening irons. It's also important that you use the right care range for your hair type. Fine strands need light, yet nourishing formulas, while thicker hair requires extra hydration.
Make it happen with: Herbal Essences Tousle Me Softly Touchably Soft Shampoo, $5.99; Schwarzkopf Extra Care Hair Repair Deep Nutrition Conditioner Shea Cashmere, $6.99.

Skip a day

Small step: Reduce the effects of daily styling by creating a sexy, second day 'do.
Big impact: Try to stretch out your blow-dry by using a dry shampoo to refresh your lengths, or take Mullins's advice and embrace a chic, textured ponytail or bun for days when you want to skip washing. After applying a dry shampoo, lightly backcomb your hair at the crown of your head and "using your fingers as a comb, rake your hair back into a loose, low ponytail or bun and secure", advises Mullins. "To finish, add extra texture by gently working your fingers through the top and sides."
Make it happen with: label.m Dry Shampoo, $32.95.

Cool down

Small step: Limit the damage caused from heated hair tools.
Big impact: Daily hot styling can weaken your lengths, so always apply a heat protection spray before picking up your straightener or hair dryer. For sleek strands without the sizzle, Withnell recommends making small changes to the way you use your tools. "With your blow-dryer, it's the amount of airflow that's doing the drying, not the temperature. So, it's better to set it on warm and have a lot of air, rather than using the highest temperature," he suggests. And consider that, while your straightening irons need to be as hot as possible, you can reduce their damaging effect and get a smoother result by moving them quickly through your lengths.
Make it happen with: Sunsilk Co-Creations Damage Defence Program Heat Defence Mist, $6.99.

Lighten up

Small step: Use fewer styling products.
Big impact: While lotions, mousses and mists help create lasting structure and movement, too much of a good thing can do more harm than good. When used to excess, you may feel crunchiness, see small white flecks, or your lengths may feel dry from the alcohol found in some products (written as "alcohol denat" on the label). While most shampoos should help to wash away product build-up, for a deep clean, Withnell suggests mixing an equal amount of shampoo to bicarbonate of soda for a more thorough cleanse. Cut back on products by using double-duty options, or look for styling aids that also contain a treatment.
Make it happen with: L'Oréal Professionnel Texture Expert Liss Ardent Smoothing Thermal Treatment for Fine Hair, $35; Garnier Fructis Style Thermo-Active Spray Volume Restructure XXL, $7.95.

Shine on

Small step: Add a leave-in treatment to your daily routine.
Big impact: "They make the outside layer of the hair sit flat, and that helps to prevent damage from brushing or combing," says Withnell. As light bounces off a smooth surface, it'll also give you a shiny finish. If you have fine strands choose a spray option, or, for thick hair, opt for a creamy formula.
Make it happen with: ghd Remedy Cream Daily Leave-In Treatment, $32; Matrix Biolage Hydrathérapie Daily Leave-in Tonic, $28; Al'chemy Lavender & Anthyllis 24 Hour Intensive Moisture Leave-In Conditioner, $17.95.

Be consistent

Small step: Make your salon appointments every six to eight weeks.
Big impact: "Regular cuts are important, especially if you have longer hair," advises Withnell. "They won't encourage your hair to grow, but it'll appear thicker and healthier, while preventing the ends from splitting." If you use a permanent hair dye or have foils, don't be tempted to colour more frequently, he warns, as "over processing your strands can make them more porous, leading to premature colour fade and brittleness". Instead, refresh your hue with a semipermanent dye, or conceal regrowth and greys by only touching up your part and hairline.

Trade tools

Small step: Replace your damaged brushes and invest insnag-free elastics.
Big impact: Two of the major causes of hair breakage are elastics and brushes. Choose hair ties without a metal link and trade in your brush when the bristles have become bent or have melted. Minimise the damage when detangling wet hair by only using a wide-tooth comb, rather than a brush.
Make it happen with: Kevin.Murphy Texture.Comb, $12.95; Scünci No Slip Grip Elastics, $8.95 for a pack of 14.